VW scandal not to hit India diesel car sales, but need uniform emission standards: SIAM

SIAM prez says, diesel continues to be very popular fuel in India considering its economical proposition and efficiency

The cheating scandal involving Volkswagen will not affect diesel car sales in India but the country needs uniform emission norms across the country, auto industry body SIAM on Friday said.

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) also said there is a need for a single body for the auto industry to deal with various regulatory issues at the Centre and the state level for ease of doing business.

"I don't think so. Diesel is a clean fuel. It continues to be a popular fuel in many parts of the world," SIAM President Vinod Dasari said here when asked if the VW scandal would hit sales of diesel cars in India.

He said diesel continues to be very popular fuel in India considering its economical proposition and efficiency.

"I don't see any impact of what has happened with one particular company affecting diesel (car) sales in India," he added.

While calling for a singular emission norm across India, Dasari also stressed on the need to have one body that will deal with many regulatory issues related to to automotive industry.

"There is a requirement for having a single regulatory authority. It will be wonderful to have one body," he said, adding currently the sector has to deal with various ministries such as Petroleum and Natural Gas, Heavy Industries and Road Transport for different matters, besides States.

He, however, said the government is in the process of setting up National Automotive Board and SIAM is supporting the initiative.

"It will become easy for us to do business once it gets operationalised," Dasari said.

On the emission issue, he said the auto industry was ready to adopt stricter standards provided fuel is available across India.

"If the fuel is available the auto industry can always consider options to move faster," he said when asked if the auto industry was ready to jump straight to Euro VI from Euro IV as is being suggested in some quarters.

He said it is the auto industry which voluntarily suggested that Euro VI, which was to be brought in 2026 must be brought in 2023.

"The minute oil industry says fuel will be available in 2023, we will be ready. I am actually worried whether they will have BS V fuel available in 2019. We are ready," he added.